Following the footprints of the Leopard...

Quiet summer in town...

It's hot, but not too much. There's not much people, so it's easy to move around, specially if you take the precaution of avoiding the avenues that are being repaired, as for example Ave. Grand Armée. Or the "quais" where, from today, the beaches have popped-up. For eight years now (this one is the 9th season), Paris' City Hall organizes Paris-Plages: artificial beaches, with sunshades, decks and palm trees, all along the Seine. And also concerts, dance contests and food and beverages stalls. Access to beaches is free. 

Of course, all this creates several traffic-jams on the nearby areas, but other than that, Paris is glorious these days... at least for my eyes!!

What a joy to walk along Avenue Montaigne or Faubourg-St. Honoré, window-shopping...!! Les soldes are reaching their peak... Gap offered today 75% off, Benetton 70% off and other big department stores, as Galeries Lafayette or Printemps, are now announcing an extra 30% off on already reduced merchandise!! Of course, not much remains and slowly the Fall-Winter 2010-2011 collections are starting to show-up. A detail has caught my attention: the comeback of the leopard print, which for me was always a synonym of bad taste... But now it has reappeared with quite a chic allure and I'm starting to fall for it!!

I've seen it with all its power in Lanvin, temple of elegance. The whole window had leopard prints: raincoats, boots, dresses, scarves, bags... beautiful.

I've seen it also in a Prada bag, reaching out in the heel of a Christian Louboutin sandal, hiding on a Dior bra, on a YSL's cocktail dress, exploding on Jimmy Choo's flats...

Will I end up finding it also in my wardrobe?

Who knows...!

(Christian Louboutin... Leopard all over!)

Congratulations Spain!!!

After an intense month full of football matches, the Spanish have won... they were probably the best...

Now we have to wait four long years!!

What if we had a World Cup every year or every two years?

Let's get ready for Brazil 2014!!!

Restaurants and Hotels in Paris...

Many of you, dear readers, have been asking me about restaurants and hotels in Paris.

Voici mi list of my favorite restaurants in the Ville Lumière.

There's one that opened recently and it's quite good called "La Societé", in St. Germaine, owned by the Costes dinasty (the same ones of the Hotel Costes, L'Avenue, etc). Then there's "Ralph", by the new Ralph Lauren boutique, but beware: make a reservation in advance before you go! I also like, although it is quite more expensive, but not as much as the "Tour d'Argent," the Bar at the Hotel Ritz, specially the inside terrace. Similar to that is "Laurent", which also has a beautiful garden. Simpler, but a favorite among my sister and me, is "Kaiten," a japanese restaurant with sushi and sashimi, a bar and a self-service buffet. It's opened non-stop, all day long, on the Rue Pierre Charon.

If I want to eat Italian, I go to "La Stresa," which I love. If I feel like going to a restaurant with some History, I head to "Les Closerie de Lilas," which is were Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, the whole lost generation used to go... To see some socialites and showbiz people, the place to dine is "Mathi's."

If I'm with meat-lovers or those feeling nostalgic of Argentina, I take them to "Anahi." 

As for Hotels, those with the good price/good location equation are: The Roosevelt Hotel on Rue Clemont Marot and Hotel Powers, on Rue Francois I. There's also the Hotel de Vigny, on Rue Balzac, and La Tremoille, also by the 8th arrondissement. 

By the Rive Gauche, I would recommend Hotel Lenox, on the Rue de l'Université, and "Hotel," on the Rue des Beaux Arts, very charming and almost in front of the Ecole des Beaux Arts (worth visiting!).

Of course, If you want to feel like a king, the best options are Hotel Ritz and Hotel George V, simply marvelous... as it is also Hotel Crillon, Madonna's favorite.

Anyway, no matter were you stay, Paris is Paris, and you'll enjoy it all the same...

Gaultier's Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2010/2011 Runway Show

One of the more awaited events in Paris are the Haute Couture Fashion Weeks: there's one by the end of January and another by the beginning of July. The city becomes crowded with sophisticated people, important "Couture" clients, Fashion Editors and "socialites" from around the World.
It's so much fun to stop by the many parties and runway shows. Today I've been to J. P. Gaultier's, which is the most exotic and amusing one. I sat in the front row, next to my friends and, once more, in front of Anna Wintour, who was wearing a Pre Fall Lanvin dress that I also have and almost wear today too... imagine her face!!
Catherine Deneuve was also there, wearing a green trench, Inés de la Fressange with a black tailleur and even Duran Duran's John Taylor, very handsome and strangely young... Of course, many beautiful and elegant women and all the press and photographers on Earth!
The collection consisted on 48 luxurious looks... a mixture between Mata Hari and Marlene Dietrich, very "femme fatale," for a the wicked and vile women... or at least it felt like it to me... Turbans, pale faces with long eyelashes and red lips and nails. Extremely long heels, transparencies and lots of black... very vamp!
And as a guest appearance, Dita von Teese wore a black corset to publicize Gaultier's lingerie line and showed her almost naked butt!! Shocking...
It was terribly hot, but it was worth it... a one-of-a-kind event!!

St. Tropez...

Last day in St. Tropez... Time goes by so fast...

It's really a unique and amazing place! An exclusive port, miles and miles of beaches, one of the most important vacation spots in the Côte d'Azur.

And the truth is, it's delicious to spend your holidays in St. Tropez... Walk along the seaport in the morning, sit by the Sennequier to see people walk by or discover new ships arriving, drink mint with ice cubes or stroll around its beautiful little streets, where you'll find the most prestigious brands: Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Lanvin, Dior. Not to mention the classic Tropezian stores, such as Ananda or Alix, where they sell the typical must-haves: bikinis, flip flops, sandals, jewelry... everything very bright and colorful. The minimal look does not work here and does not look good either!

After shopping, it's time for the beaches... by ship, even better!

The most famous and beautiful beaches are those of the Pampelonne. And the most popular restaurants are La Voile Rouge, the Club 55 and Niou Largo. La Voile Rouge is the craziest one, the favorite spot for all those Russian and American millionaires (are there still?) who love splashing one another  with champagne and improvising parties by hopping on top of their tables, dancing wild to loud music. On Sunday 4th I've been to one of those parties... it was Independence Day and there were pirate costumes, beautiful girls and lots of champagne... I, who hate the smell of champagne, ended up completely soaked and had to dip in the sea!

Club 55 is quieter, serves great food and you can bump into Hollywood stars, financiers, millionaires and other famous people.

Niou Largo has two restaurants, one of which serves oriental food.

Lunches last till 5 pm and then it's time to nap by the beach or on the ship. Before heading back home, it's welcome to stop by the seaport to check the activities for the evening.

And then, you have to get ready for the night, which in St. Tropez are usually very long...

There's many parties and dinners and two popular bars: "Les Caves de Roi" and "Le V.I.P. Room." I went to none of them so I can't tell you about them... but I've been told it gets wild!

Voilà my small description of St. Trop...

Sadness...

I'm so sad Germany defeated Argentina...
Speechless... A dreams is ending...
Let's see what happens in 2014... Never lose hope...

Good for Uruguay...

I've arrived to St. Tropez this afternoon (one of the top vacation spots in the World) with a lovely weather of 26° C: wonderful indeed if compared to Paris' incredible 36°C!

And while we were having a candlelit dinner, at the home of my French-Belgian friends who very kindly invited me to stay with them, we followed the details of the match between Uruguay and Ghana.

And to tell you the truth, basing myself only on what I've been told... "Chapeau" for Uruguay!

Bravo for fighting till the end and reaching the semifinals... Now you must defeat the Dutch...

What is to happen this Saturday between Argentina and Germany?

I hope the octopus isn't right and Argentina wins...

You know the story of the German octopus, right?

If not, I'll tell it to you tomorrow... Now it's time to go to bed...

Days are long and full of activities in St. Tropez...

More on outlets and "soldes"...

Yesterday the official sales began and it was impossible to move around Paris...

Summer has arrived finally and there's plenty of sun. A note here: I hate it when in Winter people complain saying "Uff. How cold it is... when is it going to stop?" but when it finally does, they go around saying "What an unbearable heat...!" Oh, please, just decide what you like best! Personally I'm happy in Summer, as a true Mediterranean... 

Ok, so, as I was saying, reading some of your comments, I believe there seemed to be a confusion between the concept of sales and that of outlets, which are different, of course.

Outlets appeared in Europe and in the US almost 10 years ago and they are commonly located in small towns around important cities. They are the best spots to shop pieces from past seasons at great prices or timeless classics. The best outlets are in Italy. There's a very good and organized one called The Mall, 40 km from Florence. It's an open-air space with brands as Gucci, Yves Saint-Laurent, Loro Piana, Pucci, La Perla, Valentino, Ungaro and many more. It has a restaurant and Japanese tourists usually hire busses to go from Florence. Another one is Dimension Outlet, near Milano.

Around Paris, in a town called Serris, you'll find La Vallée Village, with up to 90 luxurious brands. All these places are open till late, every day, including Sundays and holidays. 

There are many outlets in the US too, usually around major cities... As NY for example, where you'll find those of Ralph Lauren or Club Monaco...

As for sales, in Europe they are held twice a year: in January, for the Fall-Winter collections and in June/July of the Spring-Summer ones. They are mandatory and reductions go from 30% off up to 70%off on actual collections. So what yesterday was worth 1000 euros, today is worth 500...

Sales are not only reserved for clothing shops, but also for Home decor and bedding stores...

I hope it's clearer now...